I’m delighted to note that the seventh edition of the Colombo International Maritime & Logistics Conference will be held in Colombo at a time when Sri Lanka needs international investments and support. The government of Sri Lanka has continued to endorse and support this event through the Ministry of Shipping, Ports & Aviation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the years. As the patron of the conference since its inception in 2015, I have seen the progress the conference has gained with high standards each year.

With new additional capacity in the Port of Colombo in 2025, this conference will be a good opportunity to attract new investment in the shipping and logistics sector, specifically to Sri Lanka and the South Asian region. I am confident that this year’s conference will attract many international speakers and participants over the two days of maritime & logistics related topics, and I look forward for the government of Sri Lanka to bring in much needed industry reforms, which can attract billions of dollars into Sri Lanka’s economy.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the organisers and extend my fullest support and corporation to make this conference a success.